Here is a Pileated Woodpecker in all his magnificence. No wonder dead wood falls from the trees every time the wind blows. Picking up branches that fall is a weekly task when you live with a lot of trees. He can be determined as a male because of the red streak behind beak under eye. He is quite large and easily spotted when he flies from tree to tree or when he starts drumming on a hollow tree.

Apple Gourd

A stop by the farmer’s market to get some more potatoes and I spotted the cucurbits.

Crown of Thorns Gourd

Cinderella Pumpkin, Orange , Turban Gourd

Something came over me back in March when I saw Nepenthes ‘Miranda’ at a garden show and I just had to have it. I actually prefer hardy plants. Maybe it was because it was so lush, exotic, and quite a contrast to the conditions in Tennessee at the time. I must have been intoxicated with the excitement of the flower show. It didn’t seem so huge in the exhibition hall as riding home with it. As the spell wore off on our way home, I wondered “Where am I going to put it?” I did have a nice big window and there it remained until I could take it outside about a month later. I kept it in the shade and well watered during the summer. It does prefer rainwater. I only had to rescue it being overturned by a squirrel once. It did well and is forming new pitchers at the moment. It makes a great container plant actually for it catches its own food. The leaves are so bountiful, you do have to make sure the water gets into the container and not into the pitchers to dilute them. I thought it would take over the place, but it has remained quite manageable. Miranda found a soft spot in my only buy hardy plants heart and will be spending a safe, warm winter inside with us as well. 🙂

Hi Donna, what a majestic bird. We love to hear their hyena like call as they fly between the trees here too. Your gourd photos are pure art too. I love all gourds and those are mighty fine. Miranda is a beauty, she is happy with her new home! 🙂
Frances

Hi Donna; I remember with fondness the woodpeckers. Not here “carpenter” birds only carpenter bees.
The gourds are wonderful, the colours and shapes so attractive for deco and for eating! I understand that the pitcher plant stole your heart. It is magnificent, many times when I see specimens at the nurseries I am pulled towards the pitchers. I had some in my pond but they have been overgrown and have disappeared. Happy autumn days.

I love woodpeckers. I hear them periodically in trees near my house, but I have yet to see one, with or without a camera in hand. Well, that’s not entirely true — I’m pretty sure I caught a glimpse of one just before it flew across the street. Does that count? haha

I enjoyed visiting your blog — you live in such a gorgeous area, and such wildlife!

Your post was such a pleasant surprise, after so many Monday posts elsewhere with mundane photos of family matters or pics and cartoons gleaned off the net. Okay, so the woodpecker isn’t your own work; the gourds and pitcher plant are marvelous.

I love the ‘pock, pock’ cry of the pileated woodpecker as he moves from tree to tree here.

I’ve never seen some of those gourds before — I, too, like that apple gourd! We had a pileated woodpecker visit the property last May — it was the first time I’d seen one ‘up close and personal’ and what a large bird it is! You are lucky to have his visit. 🙂